General Windscreen replacement

[Ralf S.]

Gerrard's windscreen is doing an impersonation of the Cosmos whenever it gets a bit of sunlight on it. It's only got one tiny chip (on the Younger Mrs S's side of the car) but thousands, if not millions of tiny little nicks, marks, dents, inclusions, divots and specks in it. It's quite tricky to see anything sometimes..

I dunno if the windscreen is quite puny or actually quite 'ard... since despite all this lunar-surface carnage, it has no major chips or cracks... but I'm digressing.

I need to change the windscreen .. but it's obviously not an insurance job, so I need to find someone who can fit me a spiffing new window for a monsterly cheap price.

Before I start ringing round for quotes, does anyone have any tips who is likely to be the best bet for a low price? I'm in Newport (Wales) these days.

I have a National Windscreens near me... and my area is also covered by Nationwide Windscreens. Are they worth touching up for a quote? I'm giving Autoglass a miss (£366 quoted which is half what the car cost.. ).


Ralf S.

 

[jimboy]

Tap on the windscreen with a pointed tool will see your way to an insurance job... Been done many times before, trust me.

 

[Artermis]

Jimbo is right, that does indeed happen.....

I'll state for the record now, your honor, that it's not something i've done before.

But otherwise, windscreens arent cheap items. It's the glass that costs the money and they're not a commonly produced thing for a stilo these days. I personally would have expected a price around the £400 mark for one of the big branded outfits.

I've also seen a place advertising on eBay to fit you a second hand screen in Nottingham for £110.

 

[dtimmins1985]

Not to mention fitting them as they are bonded, not sealed with rubbers... if they where then you could fit your own using a special cheap tool and some string or wire...

Also, bonding is an art in itself and you may find that if not done right, you will be forever complainig and having the work redone... some company's shy away from this.

Also make sure it has the fiat stamp and not just pilkington... fiat stamped means that they have to adhere to what fiat specced and fitted at the factory / prouction line, none fiat (may still say pilkington) could be a different tint and quality... just saying fron experience.

 

[Ralf S.]

I've filled in a couple of on-line quote forms and one came back at £350-odd..

The other firm was a local firm but they didn't reply which, based on experience, is God's way of telling me not to use them..


I'll have a bit more of a probe...


Ralf S.

 

[dtimmins1985]

I've filled in a couple of on-line quote forms and one came back at £350-odd..

The other firm was a local firm but they didn't reply which, based on experience, is God's way of telling me not to use them..


I'll have a bit more of a probe...


Ralf S.

I would just get it done through insurance - with my policy its £75 regardless of which window it is (front, back or side). windscreen, boot and rear quarters are all bonded.

Imagine a stone cracking your windscreen, you call insurance - pay £75 then let the professionals do it, it wont affect your NCB or Premium either.

When booking in the repair - tell them you want an original screen supplied by FIAT fitting, they will say oh they are original etc etc, dont take no for an answer - they will end up giving you a fiat supplied one but you may have to wait an extra week - thats what i was told when enquiring about my old stilo or if i was not bothered and was to take there word for it then i could have it with-in 48hours - dont settle for that, ive read horror stories on plenty of ford and audi forums!

 

[corcai]

I've filled in a couple of on-line quote forms and one came back at £350-odd..

I got quotes from 3 local places in Ireland they all couldn't believe the price of the glass - got 3 quotes of €270-€280. I got it done via a trade person for €220 in the end with autoglass he just booked it in his name I brought it in and paid cash. One of the local places said it was heat reflective glass and tried unsucessfully to get a plain one from the supplier.

 

[Artermis]

I've filled in a couple of on-line quote forms and one came back at £350-odd..

The other firm was a local firm but they didn't reply which, based on experience, is God's way of telling me not to use them..


I'll have a bit more of a probe...


Ralf S.

Maybe just have the windscreen removed? Solves the windscreen and A/C problems all in one then? :devil:

 

[Ralf S.]

Maybe just have the windscreen removed? Solves the windscreen and A/C problems all in one then? :devil:

Good call!

I'm off to France on the boat next month... so the windscreen will have to wait for now. A new pair of boots and a quick tracking adjustment is in order..

Meanwhile..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-Home-...d4432b98efb36943e18a7d&pid=100508&rk=1&rkt=1&

Looks a bit pricey... but the Stilo does have a cunningly flat dash-top..


Ralf S.